Gun rest for controlling the buttstock

ABSTRACT

An improved portable gun rest characterized by a mounting harness of a two strap configuration that holds the buttstock in a controlled and maneuverable position within an inverter U-shaped bracket that is rigidly fixed to a vertical slide which can raise and lower in elevation along the length of a vertical support shaft that terminates in a base member on its lowermost end. A recoil dampening pad attached to the rear of the gun rest provides protection from the recoil of the firearm.

This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 07/320,710 filedMar. 8, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,814.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to gun rests for firearms and more particularlyto a new and improved portable gun rest which is used to support andcontrol the buttstock of a firearm when shooting from the benchrest orprone on the ground position and which can be quickly removably mountedto provide a steady and adjustable rear rest for aiming the firearm atselected elevations.

2. Description of Prior Art

Obtaining the best accuracy is the shooters primary objective and theleast amount of movement is objectionable. Breathing, heartbeat and theanticipation of the ensuing recoil of the firearm (commonly calledflinching), are the primary source of movement.

In the prior art, various methods for constructing a gun rest to supportand control the buttstock of a firearm have been used. As shown inapplicants above mentioned prior patent application the gun restdisclosed therein features a pivoting attaching bracket having asubstantially inverted J-shape with a pivot flange positioned at a rightangle to its upper front edge, to pivotally connect said bracket to avertical slide that adjusts for elevation. A locking flange positionedat a right angle to its lower front edge with an elongated pivot slotpositioned therein to accept a lockscrew to releasably secure thepivotal action of said bracket, whereby the firearm is held in acontrolled position and can be pivoted to adjust the firearm sightsperfectly vertical for the proper eye to sight alignment and locked inplace with said lockscrew.

Although applicants invention as shown in the above mentioned priorpatent application has been recognized as a significant advance in theart, in some shooting situations it was found that the firearm should beallowed to move freely in the bracket. Locking the bracket in place madeaiming and shooting follow up shots slow. Also, it is easier to makeminute adjustments in aiming when the firearm is allowed some freedom ofmovement.

As the gun rest of the embodiment shown in applicants prior patentapplication is preferably made from metal, either by machining orcasting or possibly molded from resinous plastic or the like, it isextremely important that the finished product be constructed with theuse of a minimum amount of material and moving parts while stillproducing a structurally sound device. It is a well known fact withinthe manufacturing industry that the difference between success orfailure of an article of manufacture is determined by a design employingthe least amount of material and moving parts consistent with theproduction of a reliable product having a reasonably long service life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A simplified embodiment eliminating elements and moving parts isincorporated in the present improved invention featuring a non-pivotingbracket substantially an inverted U-shape and rigidly attached to avertical slide to adjust the elevation, a mounting harness of a twostrap configuration holds the buttstock in a controlled and adjustableposition within the U-shaped bracket. Essentially the U-shaped bracketcradles the uppermost rear portion of the buttstock and is secured withthe mounting harness, which holds the buttstock within the U-shapedbracket and allows the buttstock to swivel somewhat like a ball andsocket, giving the shooter the ease of adjustment and control needed foraccurate shooting. Also, a recoil stabilizing plate is positioned to therear of the bracket to keep the gun rest in the proper alignment duringthe stress of recoil. The U-shaped bracket is lined with a suitablepadding material, such as leather or the like, to prevent marring and toallow the buttstock to swivel in the bracket and mounting harness. Arecoil dampening pad mounted to the rear of the gun rest providesprotection to the shooter from the recoil of the firearm.

Applicants improved and simplified construction comprises, a mountingharness and a U-shaped bracket that is rigidly fixed to a verticalslide, whereby eliminating the pivot flange, locking flange and pivotallockscrew of applicants prior patent application without loss ofcapability, function or utility. The resulting improved gun rest is thusstructurally stable while providing a sufficient degree of adjustabilityto improve aiming and shooting.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved portable gun rest for firearms which is adjustable,lightweight and removably mounted to the rear of the buttstock ofsubstantially any firearm.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved portable gun rest for substantially any firearm which ischaracterized by a mounting harness that is of a two strap configurationthat holds the buttstock in a steady and cradled position within arigidly secured bracket, allowing the shooter to make sightingadjustments without pivoting components.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved portable gun rest for substantially any firearm which ischaracterized by a minimum of moving parts providing strongerconstruction and making manufacture more economical.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved portable gun rest for substantially any firearm which ischaracterized by versatility, i.e., the gun rest in one preferredembodiment can be assembled for righthand or lefthand shooters withoutthe need for additional parts or tooling. In another preferredembodiment the gun rest can be used by righthand or lefthand shooters asis.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved portable gun rest for substantially any firearm which ischaracterized by a recoil dampening pad mounted to the rear of the gunrest permitting the shooter to concentrate on the target without theworry of flinching from the recoil of the firearm.

The advantage of a gun rest with a minimum of moving parts and thuseasier to use without loss of capability, function or utility will bereadily applauded by those skilled in the art, and appreciated by thoseat the shooting range or in the field. Also, a gun rest that holds afirearm perfectly steady and eliminates the pain and discomfortassociated with shooting high powered firearms, due to the recoildampening pad, will be appreciated by everyone.

Additional objects, advantages and characteristic features of thepresent invention will become readily apparent from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention secured to the buttstock of a rifle, with the vertical slidein its lowermost position:

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the gun rest of FIG. 1 with thevertical slide in a partially elevated position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the gun restviewed from the rear, without the recoil dampening pad for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the verticalslides construction taken along line 4--4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of thevertical slide partially cut away for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of another preferred embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1-2, thereis shown a gun rest of the present invention, broadly illustrated bynumeral 10, mounted to buttstock 6 of rifle 4. Gun rest 10 includes abase 12, a vertical support shaft 16, a vertical slide 18, a recoilstabilizing plate 30, a bracket 34, a mounting harness 40 and a recoildampening pad 50.

Base structure 12, best seen in FIGS. 2-3, includes feet 14a-b and avertical support shaft 16. Base 12 is of a generally rectangular andelongated shape positioned horizontally and transversely to the generalorientation of gun rest 10. Feet 14a-b extend downwardly past the undersurface near each end of base 12 for engaging table top 58 (FIG. 1) or asimilar structure. The bottom surface of feet 14a-b are slightly roundedto better slide over table top 58 during recoil of rifle 4. Verticalsupport shaft 16 is an elongated substantially rectangular member in itscross section, having its lowermost end securely fixed to base 12 at orabout the midline of base 12. The upper end of vertical support shaft 16is disposed to interconnect with vertical slide 18 through channel 20,as will be described presently.

In a preferred embodiment vertical slide 18 FIGS. 2-3-4, comprises asubstantially rectangular shape of adequate dimension to receive channel20 through its vertical length and threaded aperture 26 inwardly fromits front surface, best seen in the section view of FIG. 4. A pair ofparallel spaced bars 22 and 23 extend between and are securely fixed toa pair of side plates 24 and 25 with suitable fasteners (notcharacterized). The spaced relationship between bars 22 and 23, and sideplates 24 and 25 define channel 20. Threaded aperture 26 extendsinwardly through bar 22 to channel 20. Lockscrew 28 interconnects withthreaded aperture 26 to abut vertical shaft 16, thus releasably securingvertical slide 18 at selected elevations along the length of verticalsupport shaft 16. A recoil stabilizing plate 30 is rigidly secured tothe rear surface of bar 23 with suitable fasteners (not characterized).Recoil stabilizing plate 30 is substantially rectangular in shape with arounded top 32 that conforms to the general shape of bracket 34, bestseen in FIG. 3.

Bracket 34 FIGS. 2-3, has a substantially inverted U-shape and isdimensioned to cradle the top rear portion of buttstock 6 and ispreferably made somewhat flexible to better conform to the varyingthicknesses of buttstock 6 that are present throughout the firearmindustry. A suitable padding material 36, such as leather or the likeinner lines bracket 34 to prevent marring of buttstock 6 and also allowsbuttstock 6 to swivel in bracket 34, thus giving the needed adjustmentfor accurate shooting. A flange 38 is formed from the backedge of and ata right angle to bracket 34 and is configured to securely fix bracket 34to recoil stabilizing plate 30 at rounded top 32 with suitable fasteners(not characterized).

Harness 40 is of a two strap configuration, best seen in FIGS. 2-3.Strap 42 is preferably made of an elastic type material. Strap 44 ispreferably made of a non-elastic type material with a ring 46 fixed toone end. Strap 44 has its ring 46 end securely fixed to strap 42 nearits upper end, thus forming harness 40. Harness 40 has the ring 46 endsecurely adhered to bracket 34 with a suitable adhesive. Strap 42 is ofsufficient length to encircle buttstock 6 and is releasably secured tothe upper surface of bracket 34 with a suitable fastener such as VELCRObrand hook and loop fastener or the like. Also, strap 44 is ofsufficient length to encircle buttstock 6, pass through ring 46 andreleasably secure back onto itself with a suitable fastener such asVELCRO brand hook and loop fastener 48 or the like when attaching gunrest 10 to buttstock 6.

Recoil dampening pad 50 FIGS. 1-2, is preferably made of a resilientmaterial and sufficiently shaped and dimensioned to provide protectionto the shooter from the recoil of rifle 4. Recoil dampening pad 50 inone preferred embodiment is releasably secured to gun rest 10 withVELCRO brand hook and loop fastener 48 type fastener (notcharacterized). In another preferred embodiment recoil dampening pad 50is securely fastened to gun rest 10 with a suitable adhesive.

In another preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, vertical slide 18 isconfigured with side plate 24 having a rounded top 52. Bracket 34 issecurely fixed to side plate 24 at rounded top 52. As can be seen fromthis configuration vertical slide 18 is positioned directly to the rearof bracket 34 and threaded aperture 26 is positioned in side plate 24.

In yet another preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, there is shown arepresentation of vertical slide 18 as it might appear cast fromnonferrous metal with channel 20 taking a more cylindrical shape.Threaded apertures 26 and 54 extend inwardly from its front surface.Threaded aperture 26 is positioned to accept, a lockscrew (notcharacterized). Threaded aperture 54 is positioned to accept analignment screw (not characterized) that gently abuts vertical shaft 16,thus stopping vertical support shaft 16 from turning in the cylindricalshaped channel 20.

Operation Of Gun Rest

The gun rest 10 of FIGS. 1-6, is capable of steadying and adjusting afirearm in a variety of shooting situations including bench rest targetshooting, prone on the ground target shooting, and also can be usedeffectively in the field varmint shooting. However, users will find itmost useful from the bench rest position, when used in conjunction withthe shooters normal front resting procedure.

Accordingly, the shooter would fit bracket 34 as seen in FIG. 1, overthe rear top portion of buttstock 6 of rifle 4, and secure it bystretching elastic strap 42 of mounting harness 40 around buttstock 6and fasten it to the top of bracket 34, and then stretch strap 44 ofmounting harness 40 around buttstock 6, through ring 46 and fasten strap44 back onto itself. Buttstock 6 is now held firmly in a cradledposition while providing a sufficient amount of pivotal movement inmounting harness 40 to give the shooter the ease of adjustment andcontrol needed for accurate shooting. By twisting buttstock 6 inmounting harness 40, telescopic sight 8 or open sights can be adjustedat will by the shooter.

The shooter would now adjust gun rest 10 and rifle 4 to the properelevation. By loosening lockscew 28 and lifting up or pushing down onbuttstock 6 of rifle 4 vertical slide 18 is positioned along the lengthof vertical support shaft 16 to the desired elevation and releasablysecured by tightening lockscrew 28.

While the above description contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, butrather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof. Manyother variations are possible. For example, gun rest 10 can be made withvertical support shaft 16 round, triangular or a plurality of shafts canbe used. A spring could be positioned at the upper or lower end ofvertical support shaft 16, thus making gun rest 10 spring loaded.Vertical support shaft 16 can be a threaded shaft with an adjustment nutmounted thereon, as the adjustment nut is turned the height of the gunrest is adjusted either higher or lower. Also, ring 46 of strap 44 ofmounting harness 40 could be replaced with a self locking buckle.Buckles or snaps could be interchanged with VELCRO brand hook and loopfastener 48 Also, harness 40 could be of a one strap configuration.

It can be readily seen from the description and drawing figures that thepresent invention is condusive to many different forms of manufacture,i.e., the components of the invention can be manufactured from standardsize bar and flat bar stock, they can be machined from solid stock, theycan be cast from metal with anyone of the many casting procedures, suchas permanent mold casting, die casting, shell mold casting or moldedfrom plastic or the like.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a relatively simple devicewith respect to the prior art and applicants above mentioned priorpatent application in that the present invention consists of only onemovable component. Also, the invention in all of its design embodimentsprovides a highly reliable, lightweight and efficient gun rest, whichachieves all the enumerated objectives, improves and simplifies theinvention set forth in applicants above mentioned prior patentapplication and obtains new results therein, i.e., the ability to pivotthe firearm without any pivoting components, thus providing the shooterwith the ease of adjustment and control needed for accurate shooting andquicker follow up shots, plus providing a stronger more efficient andreliable gun rest.

Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure and description of the presentinvention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changesin the size, shape, materials and manor of manufacture may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, I do notwish to be limited to the precise details of construction setforth, butdesire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as comewithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A portable and adjustable gun rest for supporting andcontrolling a buttstock of a firearm comprising:a vertical supportassembly including a horizontal rigid base disposed transversely to theorientation of said firearm, having top and bottom surfaces, and frontand rear sides; an upwardly extending elongated support member issuingfrom and rigidly affixed to said base and effectively shaped anddimensioned to provide a rigid and secure vertical support; a verticaladjustment means of sufficient dimension to receive an aperture throughits vertical length and cooperatively interconnected with said elongatedsupport member through said aperture, enabling said vertical adjustmentmeans to raise and lower in elevation; a cradle means comprising aninverted U-shaped bracket disposed to engage the uppermost rear portionof said buttstock, and a connecting means effectively dimensioned andpositioned to rigidly affix said cradle means to said verticaladjustment means; and a harness means comprising a flexible typematerial of sufficient length to encircle said buttstock issuing fromand securely affixed to said cradle means, and a fastening means affixedto at least one end of said flexible type material, whereby said firearmcan be releasably secured within said cradle means, providing a firm andstable rear rest, while allowing a shooter and ease of maneuverabilitynecessary for sighting and shooting.
 2. The invention of claim 1 whereinsaid horizontal rigid base has a plurality of feet projecting downwardlyfrom said bottom surface.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said feetare rounded on their bottom surface to better slide over a rough benchtop during recoil of said firearm.
 4. The invention of claim 1 whereinsaid upwardly extending elongated support member is rectangular in itscross section.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said aperture closelyapproximates the cross sectional shape of said elongated support memberfor a snug but slidingly interconnection.
 6. The invention of claim 1wherein said inverted U-shaped bracket is lined with a suitable paddingmaterial to prevent marring of, and allow freedom of movement to, saidbuttstock.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said connecting means isa flange extending from, and at a right angle to, the back edge of saidinverted U-shaped bracket.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein saidharness means comprises a plurality of straps, of a flexible typematerial.
 9. The invention of claim 1 wherein said fastening means is ofthe hook and loop type.